good morning. shut down. nearly two dozen embassies are closed down in muslim world as the u.s. and allies try to stop a feared terrorist attack. we are live with new information on where the threat is coming from and who is the target. out of nowhere, a speeding car crashes on a busy venice beach board walk. killing one and injuring dozens other. it was caught on surveillance video. remember john palmer. one of the greatest journalists has passed away. fond memories of the colleague and a friend, today, august 4, 2013.

>> and> welcome to "today" and welcome to "today" on this sunday morning. i'm erica hill. >> i'm lester holt. alongside jenna wolfe and dylan dwyer. i remember being on assignment in washington and meeting palmer for the first time. a little bit in awe and then immediately he was so disarming and that's how well a remember him today. >> such an incredible journalist. but by all accounts what really made him a wonderful person was the fact that he was just such a good guy and so kind to everyone. >> we look forward to sharing more of his life coming up. we want to begin with the latest on the terror threat. president obama is being briefed on the latest. he was updated by national

security council adviser susan rice after his top security team met to discuss the threat. >> there are 22 u.s. embassies and consulates shut down today across 17 muslim nations, and that's to keep those who work there safe. and the one in yemen which is considered high risk with al qaeda gaining a foothold there. >> let's get the latest from richard engel. good morning. he's live in cairo this morning. >> reporter: good morning, lester. diplomatic activity around the world has been severely disrupted by the series of closures. behind me is the u.s. embassy in cairo that is closed today. it's closed because of the security threat. u.s. embassy officials have told us they're still assessing new information to determine when they could reopen. it's not a good time to be a u.s. diplomat in the muslim world today. with u.s. embassies shuttered,

22 of them from kabul to cairo. and beyond. it's the first time a general alert this sweeping has been issued since the u.s. braced for retaliation after american special operations killed osama bin laden two years ago. this time, multiple sources tell nbc news the threat originates from yemen from a plot by al qaeda's branch in the arabian peninsula. the suspected target or targets are not just american diplomats in embassies, but western interests in general. we're told the threat is credible, serious and time for now the tail end of ramadan. the location is believed to be in yemen, but some u.s. officials worried plotters could try to strike beyond that country and initiated a blanket, catch-all response. >> this is a serious threat, but it should be noted in light of what happened in benghazi that officials are taking no chances

whatsoever. >> reporter: so why al qaeda in yemen? it has a core group of skilled bomb makers and propagandists who operate in areas where the government has little authority. the group is motivated and aggressive and under attack. last month one of the top leaders was killed in a drone attack. the group wants revenge. but when? u.s. officials have told us that this threat is actually quite specific to yemen and some u.s. ambassadors in posts around the world are actually not pleased that the state department has taken this draconian action. they need to do their work, they can't be shut inside their facilities every time there's a threat. they recognize the need for security, but some worry that this might be an overreaction. lester?

>> richard engel in cairo, thanks. with more, here's erica. >> thank you. we want to bring in william bratton, and nbc news security analyst david gregory, moderator of "meet the press." bill, there was also an alert issued by interpol, talking about three recent prison outbreaks in iraq, pakistan and in libya more than a thousand escapees here. many of them with ties to the terrorist organizations. there a link between those outbreaks, some of the drone strikes and the increased security threat that we are seeing? >> well, this is what they're trying to determine the most recent break by hundreds of individuals, many of them al qaeda people who escaped in the border attacks and it's a very sophisticated al qaeda assault. instead of having to recruit new members now they have seasoned, trained veterans available to them in that region. so it's a significant concern.

is it linked to the common threat? my sense is probably not in the sense that this plot has been planned for a period of time and these other people just recently who broken out may not have been trained for this event. >> but that's of increased concern as you pointed out. david, we heard in richard's piece benghazi is weighing very heavily on the administration at this point. is part of the response that we are seeing and the very public nature of that response more of a political move because of things like benghazi? >> well, there's no question there's a reaction to that on a couple of fronts. one, we know that al qaeda and the arabian peninsula would like to target those softer targets. the benghazi experience on the terrorist side is that. a high impact, high profile target. and the other side of it too, you may have specific information, but less specific about the where. and even others who might be inspired by it. i think the reality and we're

seeing it after a benghazi event is that that risk tolerance is ever lower in washington within the administration, within the national security apparatus to take any chances when something like this happens. >> is it tied at all to the discussion to put it mildly that we have seen over the nsa over the last few weeks? >> i think that will be part of the debate. which is how do we come by this intelligence information? we are at a point where americans and both conservative republicans and liberal democrats are saying it is time to debate the extent to which we operate as a surveillance state in this country as a response to 9/11. when you have fresh warnings like this it begs the question, well, how do you think you came by the specific threat and intelligence stream without the tools. >> when we look at what's happening overseas, that's where the attention is focused is there anything to be concerned about here at home domestically? anything you have seen change over the last couple of days? >> my understanding is there's

no credible threat directed against any target within the united states. the concern, the abundance of caution is the idea that the events over there, there may be an additional effort to inspire home grown terrorists like the two young men in the boston bombing. so the concern here is appropriate that we have seen those two young men operated below the radar. recently, the head of the al qaeda -- of al qaeda once again called for attacks around the world. and united states interests. >> thank you, bill bratton and david gregory. david, we'll check in with you in a little while for a look at what's on "meet the press" later. now to the deadly scene in southern california where a car roared into a crowded beach board walk, killing a person and injuring 11 others. veronica de la cruz has that story. >> good morning to you.

well, the venice beach board walk it's always packed with people and on saturday it was no different. investigators still don't know what happened, but it does not appear that the driver slowed down as the car rammed into the crowd. authorities in los angeles say a person of interest is now in custody following a bizarre hit and run on a popular beach boardwalk saturday evening. these photos show the scene as it unfolded. >> i saw a car driving south bound and plowing into whoever was in the way. >> reporter: police say it went on for several blocks before ditching the car and fleeing on foot. >> there was people wherever, blood everywhere. there was scattered stuff. >> reporter: about an hour later, a man walked into the police station nearby and claimed he was involved. and while they don't know the driver's motive, they say he'll

likely face homicide charges in addition to a felony hit and run. >> it was horrible. ugliest scene. >> reporter: and now police are looking into the possibility that the man did this deliberately, but at this point they still don't know. >> all right, thanks very much. we want to get to the rest of the other headlines including the inauguration of the new president in iran this morning. general that has that and other stories. >> good morning. iran's new president saying that the u.s. is looking for an up excuse to confront the country over the nuclear program. the newly elected president is being sworn in this morning. ann kurry is in tehran and filed this report for us. >> reporter: good morning. iran's new president inauguration is signaling a cautious hope for change. not just for the people of iran, but also for negotiations over iran's nuclear program. the new president relacing ahmadinejad was warmly greeted.

he said the way forward is moderation, not extremism. but will this mean that iran be more willing to negotiate giving up some of the nuclear ambitions? that is the change the u.s. will be looking for. now back to you. >> thank you very much. the search resumes at daylight in oregon today for a snowboarder buried under an ice tunnel collapse. it caved in saturday on mount hood. the ice is so thick there that rescuers are going back with chain saws to free the trapped snowboarder. a man lost his leg and five others were injured. they were watching a planned inploetion of a power plant. about a thousand feet away. shrapnel ended up hitting some members of the crowd. now an update on a moving

story on saturday. 2-year-old logan stevenson suffering from leukemia with weeks left to live, serving as the best man at his parent's wedding. the wedding was beautiful, logan in his pinstriped suit carried by his mom and standing up with his dad. logan's parents wanted him to be there when they married to celebrate his life and theirs. that is the news. so sweet. again, doctors said he only has a few weeks to live. they tried to put this together. they got the community involved to help fund the different aspects of it. >> a celebration of life. >> yeah. >> thanks. dylan dwyer has a check of the weather. good morning. >> good morning to you. we are looking at some heavy rain again falling in the plains states. you can see where we have the flash flood watches in kansas and also into southern missouri

and northern arkansas where we got several inches of rain over the past few days and another one to three inches is possible as all of that heavy rain moves out of kansas and moves into areas in missouri and into arkansas as we go throughout the day. especially this morning, this afternoon we should see some improvements. elsewhere, the weather is pretty quiet. cool in the north and very hot down in texas. that's a look at the weather across the country. now here's a peek out your window. and the day is getting started with some drizzle and low clouds into the east bay areas and as we go through the rest of the morning, some clearing at least well inland, but low clouds lingering through oakland through 10:00. in the afternoon, expect lots of clouds on the coast. another cool day in san francisco with 60s and 70s for most of the bay area. inland, still some low 80s. temperatures are going to run cooler for first hatlf of the week before trending warmer next weekend. >> that's your latest forecast. >> thanks. new information about the

punishment facing new york yankees slugger, alex rodriguez. we have the latest on that. >> good morning. it was a different alex rodriguez who met with the media after a pair of minor league games. last night, he had a different tone. sources tell nbc sports that yankees star alex rodriguez will be suspended by major league baseball commissioner bud selig for the remainder of the 2013 season and likely the entire 2014 season. in connection to the league's investigation of performance-enhancing drug use by rodriguez and other players. the announcement is scheduled for monday. sources say major league baseball officials were ache angered by rodriguez's remarks friday night, saying he wouldn't negotiate even as his spokes people worked behind the scenes to secure an agreement. a-rod said he was unaware of the commissioner's reported ruling. >> i have been on the field for the last 5 1/2 hours.

i haven't heard anything or seen anything. my focus has been on playing baseball. >> reporter: later, he intended to continue with plans for a sunday workout, then a flight to chicago where new york is set to play the white sox on monday. >> major league baseball has an announcement tomorrow. will you still fly to chicago? >> yeah, i'm flying to chicago. >> reporter: if the lengthy suspension survives a challenge, it will cost a-rod an estimated $35 million in salary. and also possibly end the career of sport's richest, yet one of the most controversial figures. according to reports major league baseball is also set to announce sanction against a number of other players. that is expected on monday. >> we'll be watching for that. thank you. up next, we remember nbc's john palmer, right after this. ♪ [ hero mom ] oh, yeah. we're gettin' cereal. 'cause over 40 general mills cereals are 130 calories or less per serving. just look for the g.

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choosey moms, choose jif. as as we told you at the beginning of the program, we have lost a long-time friend and colleague here at nbc news. former white house correspondent and "today" news anchor john palmer has died after a brief illness. john's long-time friend andrea mitchell looks back on the incredible life and legacy of one of the great journalists of our time. >> and the southeastern suburb -- >> reporter: from beirut to washington, john palmer was that rare soul in the rough and tumble world of television news. smart, brave, but always courtly. a southern gentleman cloaked in the trench coat in the dashing correspondent. >> paris without the eiffel tower is like a frenchmen without wine. >> reporter: he covered wars, summits and politics in the field and from the anchor desk on "today." >> this is "today." >> in the news this morning --

>> reporter: the pride of king port, tennessee, he got his first break in atlanta in 1960. two years later he joined nbc news where he would spend the better part of the next 40 years. >> at times the fighting has been heavy with both sides using mortars and machine guns. >> reporter: in the early years his assignments were based in tel aviv, beirut, covering the civil war in lebanon. >> the subject of that meeting -- >> reporter: until 1979 when he was named the nbc news white house correspond end, ultimately covering five presidents, carters, ronald reagan, both bushes and bill clinton. including a rising network star. >> the plan -- >> reporter: he brought to the white house beat his foreign policy experience and a steady, reassuring voice, in good times and in bad. >> the president returns to washington early next week and the possibility of finally explaining his relationship with monica lewinsky. >> reporter: but it may have been this moment that defined

his career. april 25, 1980. >> this is an nbc news special report. >> reporter: john learned that the carter administration was attempting to rescue the american hostages in iran and it failed. the president asked him to hold the story until the teams were safely out of iranian territory. >> the rescue mission had been aborted and eight americans had died. >> reporter: in 1982, john joined the "today" show family where he spent seven years alongside bryant gumbel and jane pauley. guiding us all through moments of triumph and tragedy. >> there was a huge bright ball -- >> reporter: he loved golf and fishing but his most treasured role was as husband and father. he met his wife in 1979 where she worked for "nightly news." now a freelance journalist and writer, nancy and john have three daughters. molly, a "today" show producer and carter who works in the entertainment industry and hope who is also following in her

parent's footsteps in journalism at the nbc bureau in washington. during the 60th anniversary, john was every bit the proud dad. >> she was born on december 10th and -- >> reporter: passing on his dedication and passion to his daughters and leaving a legacy in work and life for all of us that lived on. ♪ >> reporter: a week ago john was singing "fly me to the moon." now after a short, sudden illness he is playing among the stars. for "today," andrea mitchell, nbc news, washington. >> a beautiful tribute by andrea and he'll be missed. our thoughts are certainly with his family. >> yes, they are. >> we're back right after this. oh this is soft. this is so so soft. hey hun, remember you only need a few sheets.

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still to come on "today," still to come on "today," the transition facing thousands of our troops who are finally coming home for good, perhaps after serving overseas. plus, a robbery movie shoot gets too real when the cops show up. but first, these messages. rst these messages. [ doorbell rings ]

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good sunday morning. looking live at the golden gate bridge and we are seeing a little more of the bridge today than we saw this time yesterday. but still, pretty foggy wouldn't you say? a forecast that continues to be cool. >> it is. and drizzle again. san francisco, over to oakland this morning. temperatures in the 50s right now. as we go through the day we'll see the low clouds which have pushed way inland. inland valley, that will start to break up around lunch time. but the coast, seeing an all day sea breeze and the low clouds by 6:00. 60s and 70s, san jose, 76. low 08s inland today and the

forecast still looks cooler as we start the workweek. see those inland valley temperatures only in the 70s for tuesday into wednesday. >> some long sleeves today. we are less than 18 hours away from another b.a.r.t. strike. negotiations ended around 11:30. salary, benefits, remains a main sticking point. after the four-year contract between b.a.r.t. and the two largest labor unions expired at the end of june, more than 2,000 union workers went on strike. shutting down the nation's fifth largest rail line for 4 1/2 days. a 30-day agreement to keep the trains running now expires at midnight. >> we have to keep moving. hopefully if we keep moving we'll get to the proposal that both sides agree to. >> the union side is working diligently to get an agreement. we don't want a service disruption in the bay area. >> both sides are expected to get back to the bargaining table

again today at 11:00. if there's a strike, we'll have you covered. on monday morning in the bay, we'll start live at 4:00 to help you avoid as much traffic as possible. we'll have coverage on air and online at nbcbayarea.com. an unlikely suspect is wanted in the downtown bank robbery. just before noon yesterday, this woman, a thin, blonde woman in her 30s demanded money. she was disguised in a hat and a long-sleeved sweater and detectives are so sure someone will recognize her and the get-up that they rushed the surveillance photo out within hours of the robbery. chaos in los angeles after a driver ran into the crowd at the venice beach boardwalk. one person was killed and at least dozens of others are hurt. a surveillance camera captured images of that speeding car and

pedestrians frantically trying to get out of the way. withins -- witnesses say the driver deliberately drove down the boardwalk. there's a suspect in custody. we'll tell you about new rules for fans that the nfl will be enforcing this season, starting tonight at the hall of fame game in canton. security is being stepped up following the boston marathon bombing. that and all the day's stories coming up at 7:00. see you in half an hour.

we're back o we're back on a sunday morning. it's august 4, 2013. i feel like we're getting away with something. another gorgeous, dry day here in new york city. nice crowd joining us here. >> yes. >> if you're in the neighborhood, come on down. join us some weekend. in the meantime, still to come, it was the happiest of homecomings. remember last fall i went to afghanistan and we hooked up with members of the third infantry division? well, they're back now. so we went back down to georgia the home base to greet some of them. what's different is that are to the first time for years they're not thinking about having to go back. because obviously things are winding down in afghanistan. iraq is over. so we'll talk ab the change with the soldiers and their families. >> looking forward to that. also coming up, this is the --

the weather is gorgeous. great time to be outside. why not spend time at the farmer's market? everything looks great. make yummy dishes at home. but you want to make sure you not only pick the best produce, but it stays fresh when you get it home. we'll share some tips this morning. >> some people love this, some hate it. but everyone -- at least mostly everyone relies on this to get from point "a" to point "b." we're talking about gps, it's the bane of my existence. i rely on it too much and that's why. i decided to if figure out who mystery person is behind the voice that guides us. we had little fun. >> the woman that says recalculating route. here's the deal, what i hear, you idiot if you would have taken the turn when i told you you wouldn't be in this situation. >> my favorite is when possible

make a legal u turn. >> exactly. >> and we also have from "america's got talent" the little dog bailey and dance partner. they will be here live this morning. we do begin this half hour with a close call in california. police say a situation there was milliseconds from tragedy when a scene being shot for a movie got too real. >> reporter: as linda bergsly approached a coffee shop she saw something that made her hair stand on end -- armed, masked men threatening people inside. >> there was a gun. >> reporter: she quickly called 911. >> one pulled the gun out of the pocket. >> reporter: police rushed to the scene, prepared for a potential gun battle. >> by all intents and purposes it was an armed robbery and cops

responded as such. >> reporter: an audio device captured what happened next. >> what are you doing? we're shooting a short film. >> after they stripped him the gun, he saw the film crew. >> reporter: the gunman and supposed hostages were actors, shooting an independent film. >> they didn't pull permits and didn't notify the police department. do. of an important thing to >> reporter: but according to the glenn dora city website, the film crew didn't need to to pull film permit if it was filming on private property. so in this instance, the crew was allowed to leave without any penalties. or injuries. police say one of the actors panicked and didn't drop his weapon when told to do so. an officer had to approach and disarm him by hand. >> terrifies me that one of those boys could have been killed today. and i just hope that they learn that you can't mess with guns that look like they're real. >> reporter: the coffee shop and the film crew declined comment

and wouldn't say what their movie was about. at least we know this. no one was harmed in the making of this film. for "today," gina kim, nbc news, los angeles. we want to get to the final check of the weather right now. dylan has that. >> good morning, erica. i want to say happy birthday to this lovely lady right here. you're not 60. >> i am. >> where are you from? >> from kentucky. >> well, thank you spending for your 60th birthday in new york city. it's gorgeous here. it's below average thanks to the dip in the jet stream but we'll take it. in chicago though, it's ten degrees below average. 15 days since the last 90-day in chicago. st. louis, below average. on the flip side on the warmer side of the jet stream, temperatures are five to ten degrees above average. vegas is at 105, but phoenix has picked up 13 of the last days above 100 degrees. so it's been extremely hot out

ahead of the cold front. best chance of heavy rain today, back through kansas, moving into missouri and northern arkansas where they have had several inches of rain so flooding is an issue out that way. here's a peek out your window. >> the view from san jose is mostly cloudy with some drizzle and many spots due to the low clouds. we have clearing skies inland this afternoon, but coupled with the sea breeze it will be fairly mild day. 60s to mid 70s and mid 80s, south of san jose. low 80s out around the trivalley. temperatures cool, trending a bit cooler for inland valleys. approaching tuesday and wednesday. >> today's top spot comes to us from our affiliate nbc 26 in green bay, wisconsin. this morning we are highlighting the eaa air venture in oshkosh. every summer, thousands flock to

wisconsin for a spectacular view of aircrafts of all kinds. so if you're in the area, check it out. looks like a wonderful and incredible day of the flight shows. erica? >> all right, we'll take it. behind you some people from madison, connecticut, next to where i grew up. good morning to them. coming up, lester checks in and on the new reality facing so many troops. that's after this. [ male announcer ] hear that?

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[ male announcer ] love your kitchen even more with this stainless one-handle faucet for just $99 at lowe's. ♪ by the end of n by the end of next year the nato combat mission in afghanistan is scheduled to be over and by then the obama administration expects to have brought most if not all u.s. troops. >> three means after of years of multiple deployments they won't have to return. we were in georgia to greet a group of returning soldiers who we met in afghanistan last fall as they and their families face a welcome new reality. for as long as most of these

soldiers have been in the army, homecomings have meant they would soon be preparing to go back to war. >> coming home and hurrying up and getting back into training. >> reporter: cheerful greetings become tearful good-byes. >> it hits you at night whgo to bed alone. >> reporter: after the deployments to iraq and afghanistan, the army's third infantry division has returned home to ft. stewart, georgia. and with the u.s. planning to largely pull out of afghanistan by the end of next year, it appears this division won't be going back any time soon. >> so now they can take time for themselves. they can take advantage of going to school. they can take the opportunity for their family to settle down and be stabilized. >> reporter: we were with elepha elements of the third i.d. last

fall. they were looking for iraq em placements. now after two deployments to afghanistan, he like the army as a whole is in transition. >> before our priorities were being successful at war, being successful in our mission and now my job is essentially the same. but we're focused on readiness. >> reporter: as the returning homes troop how to reintegrate into life stateside, so do their spouses. how do you feel about having him around for that while? >> i love it. >> reporter: did you worry a lot about him when he was over there? >> i did. i tend not to sleep too much. >> i tried to keep her in contact. >> reporter: they were focussed on training the afghan forces. robert abrams said their mission was successful. >> they have done an incredible amount and they have sacrificed tremendous. both they and their families. >> reporter: but success came at

a price. >> he's out of 106th, he was killed in afghanistan. >> reporter: at ft. stewart, along rows of trees dedicated to the more than 163rd i.d. members lost over the last decade, general abrams reflects on the soldiers who didn't come home. >> it's personal and stays with you forever. >> reporter: americans are still dying in afghanistan. 85 so far this year. and even as captain steve nepawana settles into life stateside, a part of him will remain over there until the last one comes home. >> what's frustrating for me, it seems like no one back here really understands it, that that soldier is still trying to complete a mission and he gave his life to complete that mission. >> completing that mission in southern afghanistan where they have operated the past year,

it's the fourth infantry division out of colorado. they took over the regional command responsibilities there last month. we don't know what life is going to look like at the end of 2014. the combat mission comes -- the administration is debating whether to pull out all u.s. troops or maybe lose a few thousand there. >> always nice to see what happens. you imagine the relief, but i'm sure that's apprehension, trying to navigate what's next. >> they're happy to be back. there are still a few members who have been on all five deployments. to iraq and one to afghanistan. some have only done two or three, but still an awful lot of folks lost in uniform. just ahead, we are getting schooled with farmer's market 101. from picking the best produce to how to keep it fresh. but first, these messages.

some of the some of the pictures here that you sent us of your trip to the farmer's market. thank for sending those to us on instagram. if you're like a lot of people, nothing says summer like all the fresh fruits and vegetables. whether it's the juicy ripe tomato and the best place to find those are at the farmer's market. i think it's fantastic trend. >> so exciting. our farm to table is what everyone is striving for. but, you know, it's pricier when you buy from the farmer's market. so how do you keep your investment fresher? we went to the folks at america's test kitchen to find out the tips. >> there's nothing like shopping

at the farmer's market where locally grown fruit is fresh and pristine. but to get the most bang for your buck you need to know how to pick them. >> this is the best time to get your fruits and vegetables. >> we went shopping. first up, summer squash and cucumbers. jack said think small. >> i think the smaller ones are better. they have fewer seeds in them and the flesh is a little bit firmer and they cook up nicer. >> they don't take like anything -- >> that's because they're covered with wax. one of the great things about buying a cucumber at a farmer's market it hasn't been covered in wax. you don't need to peel them. >> next up, carrots. >> whenever you can buy the carrots and the healthy greens attached, they're really fresh. they were in the ground probably yesterday. >> for the heads of lettuce that never seem to last -- >> what i'm looking for is obviously, you know, bruise -- no bruising or rotting. i want it to be moist, but not swimming in water.

>> the most popular produce is corn and tomatoes and chooses the right one is all in the touch. >> so you can sort of feel that, you know, the kernels are going all the way to the tip. and still should not be rotting and black. >> what about tomato shopping? >> this is the place where you need to shop with your eyes closed. >> really? >> i want to feel that they're fairly soft. if they're too firm, they're going to be mealy and not great for salad. >> make sure you smell them too. they should remind you of basil. and for those expensive summer berries, look underneath the container to make sure they're not discolor ordinary that the box -- discovered or that the box is filled with juices. once you have them home, how can you keep your goodies fresh? first, the tomato. >> never ever put it in the refrigerator. an enzi mattic reaction begins

and it turns to mush. you can store them upside down. >> with corn, brown bag it. >> so the secret believe it north is a damp paper bag. an old-fashioned grocery bag. i put it a little underneath running water. a little damp. put the corn into the bag. >> don't clean the corn until ready to cook it. and when it comes to your lettuce, jack says wash it and leave the leaves partially wet. wrap them in a paper towel and put in a plastic bag. it will keep the lettuce crisp for up to five days. finally a tip to keep the berries fresh and sweet. >> put a little bit of vinegar -- >> in my berries? >> in the water. what it's doing is it's killing any bacteria which is what's going to cause mold to happen. >> oh. >> and when you're shopping for tomatoes, pick ugly ones.

they're really delicious because they're so yummy. >> i love every tip in that piece. >> let's go shopping at the farmer's market together. >> nice to see you again. lester, over to you. >> all right. gps, a lot of us depend on it to get where we're going. but be honest, how many times did you want to scream at the calm voice? >> look, i wouldn't be going out on a self-deprecating limb to say i'm mildly directionally challenge. and i decided to put the woman behind the voice of gps to the test. >> please drive to highlighted -- >> recalculating. recalculating. >> for me getting from point "a" to point "b" is usually a disaster. >> i'm not in the lane, lady. how am i supposed to turn right?

>> in a quarter mile -- >> for karen jacobson or australian karen one of the voices or garmin's gps devices and on itune's maps it's a breeze. >> i'm directionally challenged. >> my advice to you is stay calm and consistent. >> calm and consistent. >> that's right. >> two very foreign words for me. so i figured if i can't beat gps, maybe i could join gps. >> one quarter mile, about a half mile. give or take a half mile i'm not sure. >> with a coveted spot on the menu -- >> proceed to the highlighted route. not that much traffic ahead, but enough to probably give you a headache. turn left. where are you going? >> i can't turn down there. you're right. sorry. okay. >> i still needed a little more direction from karen. >> bottom line, karen, you can

get me anywhere that i need to go in a calm and consistent manner. >> that's right. and when needed we'll recalculate. you'd be surprised how often that happens when i'm behind the wheel. >> because i couldn't take her word for it, i did seeded to put her skills -- i decided to put her skills to test. navigating new york city. >> can you get me anywhere? >> carnegie deli. >> this is perfect. don't you think? >> yeah. >> let's go to the statue of liberty or something. >> calculating to the statue of liberty. >> i got to tell you, i am 100% convinced in this calm and consistent stuff that you have been trying to sell all day. you know, you can recalculate it any time you get lost. >> i think i'll be okay from here on out. >> so what was my gps take away? if you stay on course and just keep going forward, eventually that road more or less traveled will lead you home.

>> you have reached the destination. >> right there. >> i know. >> or at least it will lead you somewhere. by the way, if you have any interest in doing this garmin has software technology that allows you to record your own voice so you can be your own gps. i'm not promising you'll get where you want to go, but at least you can hear yourself trying to get you there. >> that would drive me crazy. >> by the way, she looks like her voice. >> yeah. that beautiful, soft, soothing -- >> i will never scream at her again. maybe under my breath. we're back after this. [ female announcer ] when did we start thinking that eating a tiny breakfast would help us weigh less? ♪ with the special k breakfast, eat all this, with new, hearty special k multi-grain cereal. data shows women who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than those who don't. so eat right, not less. a new perspective.

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♪ ♪ oh, he's got moves and he knows it that's bailey, a 6-year-old bichon. >> and they're preparing for the live show this week on "america's got talent." good to have you here. >> thank you. >> did you expect to get this far? >> no, we auditioned back in chicago. we just -- we practiced all that we can. >> and you practice a lot. bailey loves to dance and likes to practice with you.

his favorite moves are going backwards typically? >> yeah. he loves it. >> do you know why? >> no. i think he thinks it's funny. >> can we show us? >> yeah. go backwards. >> oh, bailey. >> oh, good boy. >> he's using gps. recalculating now. >> come here. >> give me a high five. >> you know last year's winner was a dog act. >> yeah. >> how did you even train bailey? >> a lot of positive reinforcement. he just loves it. >> when they're happy it makes it easier. >> yeah. >> does he have a favorite move? does he run backwards through the house? >> he'll come up to me and he'll back up. he expects me to give him a treat all the time now. okay. stop. >> performing for you. >> so he's clearly very smart. good luck to both of you. we'll catch you on "america's

got talent" tuesday and wednesday. good luck. >> thank you. >> let's check in with david gregory now to find out what's coming up on "meet the press." >> good morning. coming up, more on the high anxiety over the al qaeda terror threat. i'll get the very latest from the vice chair of the senate intelligence committee. saxby chambliss, as well as dick durbin. and our political roundtable with morning joe and the future of baseball. with nbc sports bob costas. big news coming up on steroids and suspensions this tweaweek. >> see you shortly, david. that's going to do it for all of us. thanks for spending time with us. >> see you later on on "nbc nightly news." so long. enjoy your sunday. " until then, so long, everybody. thanks for watching and enjoy your sunday.

good morning. i'm kris sanchez. and the final countdown to the possible b.a.r.t. strike is underway. we have reaction from both sides of the negotiating table as well as a backup plan for tomorrow's commute. also, local travelers react to the worldwide terror alert for travelers. and a driver runs into a crowd at a famous boardwalk, but was it deliberate? this is today in the bay. we are looking live at san francisco. not only do you see the fog squished down on the transamerica building but you see the flag there waving in the wind. it is a very cool start to the day there.